🍽️ Introducing Notes on Napkins: A News Section for Foodies 🍽️

🌞 Buenos dias! This is 🍍 Riviera Maya Insider and just like street corner esquites, our news is fast, fresh, and piping hot.  

📣 First … bienvenidos and welcome to all our new readers and a shout out to this week’s top referring INSIDERS Kelly and Donna. Thank you for spreading the word and bringing 60 new subscribers on board!

Do you know someone who should be a 🍍 Riviera Maya Insider? Smash that share button!

Now, let’s get into the top Riviera Maya news stories from last week.

RIVIERA MAYA ROUNDUP

You don’t need to know everything going on along the Riviera Maya, but you should know something! I sift through hundreds of local and regional news stories so you don’t have to. These are the headlines in this week’s local news that caught my attention.

🏨 The recent seizure of a beloved hotel and bar in Playa del Carmen has sparked outrage and protests from the local community. Residents and business owners are rallying to support the establishment, which they see as an integral part of the city's character and history. This unfolding dispute raises questions about property rights and government actions in the region. Read more here.

🖤 Marciano "Chano" Toledo passed this week at the age of 64. He is remembered as a key figure in Playa del Carmen whose vision and leadership were instrumental in shaping the city’s growth. Read more about his legacy here.

🎆 Despite the rain, Playa del Carmen celebrated Revolution Day with a grand parade featuring local schools, traditional dances, and military displays. The event honored Mexico’s historic fight for justice and equality while bringing the community together for a day of culture and pride. Read more here.

🎶 International DJ David Guetta is confirmed to headline the Zamna Tulum Electronic Music Festival in 2025, promising an unforgettable night of music and energy. Zamna has become a mecca for electronic music fans worldwide and expected to draw massive crowds to Tulum. Read more about the lineup here.

🌴 The much-anticipated (and much debated) beach restoration project in Quintana Roo remains in limbo, awaiting government approval. Designed to combat erosion and preserve the region’s iconic coastline, the project is seen as crucial for sustaining tourism. But what is the best and most sustainable way forward? Learn more here.

🎭 Playa del Carmen’s famous Papantla Flyers have requested a relocation within Playa del Carmen’s Fundadores Park, citing ongoing disruptions to their performances. Despite raising these concerns with past administrations, their request remains unresolved. Read more here.

🌳 The Yucatán Peninsula has lost thousands of hectares of jungle over the past four years, raising alarm among conservationists. Deforestation, driven by urban development, unchecked agricultural practices and megaprojects such as the Tren Maya, threatens the region’s biodiversity and fragile ecosystems. Read more here.

🎈 A new gym, a fancy autoparts shop and now, a new party supply store! PA Party Center has opened inside the Puerto Aventuras kiosk (bandstand). Tonya is offering custom balloon displays and all kinds of party supplies, plus t-shirts, koozies, postcards and much more!

✝️ Catholic Mass is now being offered inside Puerto Aventuras. All of faith are welcome to gather at 31 Bahia Xcacel, across from Catalonia Yucatan at 12 PM on Sunday for worship oficiated in Spanish by Pastor Enrique Flores. This is a temporary set up in anticipation of the new Roman Catholic church planned for the community. For more information, reply to this email.

NEW! NOTES ON NAPKINS

Openings, closings, restaurant “reviews” and anything foodie related with information curated by our readers and submitted by local restaurant owners.

🍽️ Sirjan, the new Persian restaurant from Ismaeel Razavi (Mezcla) opened quietly just over a week ago and Playa foodies are chomping the bit to get in. We are too!

🍾 CASA, a chic new cafe and specialty food shop opened last week in Puerto Aventuras. CASA offers high-quality products to grab and go including European cheeses and sausages, delicious ham, organic wines, hummus, Lebanese tahini, savory meat broth, gluten-free pasta, pickles, baguettes, pita and sourdough bread and more.

🍺 Just in time for their Thanksgiving Day feast and to the relief of Playa del Carmen sports fans and Boozy Brunch regulars, The Admiral Sports Bar reopened last weekend, bigger and better than ever.

🌿 Hierba Santa 38, the newest gastronomic offering from Wine O’Clock restaurateur Gerson Soriano and his Executive Chef Ursula Delgado Garcia is getting a lot of love from Riviera Maya foodies. We can’t wait to check it out!

🥣 More news from Calle 38, Tahini has reopened. They are still doing a bit of remodeling work but are up and running and welcoming customers again.

☕️ El Cafe del Puerto, a new coffee and breakfast-lunch place has opened up on the square in Puerto Morelos, near the church. My friend Catriona reports that it is very good!

🍰 A new cafe and dessert shop, El Rincón de Alex has just opened on Av. 10 between Calles 6 and 8. We’ve been told to try the Soufflé de Elote!

Did you see something interesting that you think we should share? A new restaurant opening? An old favorite closing up shop? Reply to this email or send the info to [email protected].

¿QUE PASA RIVIERA MAYA?

Here is a selection of fun and interesting events coming up soon along the Riviera Maya and beyond!

November 26 - Art Show and Fundraiser for The KKiS Project at the Grand Hyatt in Playa del Carmen.

November 28 - Thanksgiving Dinners and Events - If you haven’t made your plans yet you will want to check out our 🦃 Thanksgiving 2024 list! Shout out to my fellow foodie friend Halina for helping spot all the menus online! Check it out all the options here.

November 28 - Eugenia León and the Yucalpetén Orchestra at the Parque la Plancha Ampitheatre in Merida.

November 28 & 29 - World Tourism Trends Summit 2024 on Cozumel.

November 29 - Fundraising Dinner for Fundación Sanctuario Akumal at Puerto Canal Restaurant in Puerto Morelos.

November 28 - Dec. 2 - Transcendence Festival “The Butterfly Awakening” at Finca Yorogana in Playa del Carmen.

November 30 - Hardcore Music Festival at SoundSet Beach Club in Playa del Carmen.

November 30 - Dec. 1 - Chibal Sound Fest 2024 - Free music festival in Bacalar.

December 1 - Aluxe Fest - Independent music festival and fair in Playa del Carmen.

December 1 - Tulum Half Marathon 2024 - 5km and 10km races and a 3km walk starting from the Municipal Palace in Tulum.

December 7 - Holiday Trendy Market and Christmas Tree Lighting in Puerto Aventuras at the bandstand.

December 8 - Cancun Half Marathon at Malecón Tajamar in Cancun.

December 10 - Fundraiser for Gaylita at Café Ole in Puerto Aventuras. Market, music, raffle and more to help cover Gaylita’s ongoing medical expenses.

December 15 - Noel Christmas Run - 10K, 5K and 3K Races in Cancun.

December 14 - 22 - Coco’s Animal Welfare Online Auction.

December 21 - El Papalote’s 30th Anniversary Party - Comunidad Educativa El Papalote Celebrates 30 Years of Education in Playa del Carmen.

Do you have information about an upcoming event that you would like to see shared on 🍍 Riviera Maya Insider? Let us know by replying to this email or sending it to [email protected].

That means a little bit of everything!
Interesting articles about Mexican history, culture, art, food and more.

🎨 The Changing Fortunes of Frida Kahlo
Frida Kahlo’s legacy continues to grow, with her influence transcending art into fashion, politics, and global culture. In this article, writer Brian Overcast explores the evolution of Kahlo’s reputation, from being overshadowed by her husband, Diego Rivera, to becoming an iconic symbol of resilience and individuality. It reveals how her work gained international acclaim, the commercialization of her image, and the debates surrounding her legacy today. Read the full article here.

EXPAT LIVING

Insider insights and tips for better living and leisure on the Riviera Maya. Information from expats for expats and anyone planning their dream life in Mexico.

📚 A Beacon of Learning: The Puerto Aventuras Library
Last week, I had the pleasure of visiting the Puerto Aventuras Library and speaking with its inspiring founder, Gaylita Adams and volunteer coordinator Maria Belt. The library is more than just a place to borrow books—it’s a true community hub. Gaylita shared how the library has grown into a multicultural resource, offering books in multiple languages and welcoming residents of all ages.

Gaylita’s vision, supported by the local community, has created a resource that fosters literacy and brings people together. It’s a cornerstone of Puerto Aventuras’ commitment to education and cultural enrichment, and I left inspired by its impact. Read my full article here.

RIVIERA MAYA REAL ESTATE

We are going to mix it up a little bit this week by polling our readers. Your input will help us create better newsletter content for you.

If you are interested in receiving more detailed information about real estate opportunities along the Riviera Maya you can reply directly to this email or send me a message at [email protected].

DO GOOD RIVIERA MAYA

This month our featured community organization is LEYENDO.

📚️ Leyendo (which means “reading” in Spanish) is a volunteer-driven organization based in Playa del Carmen, Mexico, dedicated to fostering literacy and a love for reading among local children. The group focuses on establishing libraries in public schools throughout the community, providing students with access to a diverse range of books and educational resources.

Leyendo’s efforts are lead by my friend Janet Lowe and supported by a community of artists and library enthusiasts who collaborate to create inviting reading spaces for children. By promoting literacy, Leyendo aims to empower young readers and contribute to their educational development.

How can 🍍 Riviera Maya Insiders help?

1. Donate new or gently-used books for children or young adults in Spanish. If you are planning a visit to the Riviera Maya, tuck a book or two into your suitcases. If you reply to this email, I’ll be happy to arrange a place for you to drop them off or I’ll come to you and pick them up!
   

2. Share this newsletter with any friends who you think would enjoy or benefit from it. For every one of your friends who subscribes to 🍍 Riviera Maya Insider, I will donate 1 USD to Leyendo. Those funds will be used to buy new books for their upcoming library project.

It costs nothing to share the newsletter and gives you, the INSIDERS, a way to Do Good Riviera Maya. 💪

JOIN THE INSIDERS!

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